Hilton HHonors - Upgrade on reward stay?

I am HH Diamond and I do a lot of busienss travel both in Europe and US. I usually get an upgrade when I stay at Hilton. Last week I stayed at Hilton Paris (Arc de triumph) with my family a week on points. We did not get an upgrade and no lounge access. So my question is: is it more difficult to get an upgrade on reward stays? Or was there another reason I did not get an upgrade. (However, we were compensated with free glass of Champage in the bar every night).

I am HH Diamond and I do a lot of busienss travel both in Europe and US. I usually get an upgrade when I stay at Hilton. Last week I stayed at Hilton Paris (Arc de triumph) with my family a week on points. We did not get an upgrade and no lounge access. So my question is: is it more difficult to get an upgrade on reward stays? Or was there another reason I did not get an upgrade. (However, we were compensated with free glass of Champage in the bar every night).

You should be eligible for an upgrade, when using points, just as you would be when paying for a stay.

However, you need to:

Review the Hilton T&C's for European Properties.
You stayed for A WEEK, that probably had more to do with you NOT receiving an upgrade than anything else.
Do you know what an "upgrade" is at this property. Every property is built differently, so an upgrade can be catergorizes as a "newly renovated room", "room with a view", etc. Please keep in mind that a SUITE upgrade is not a part of the Hilton HHonors T&C's. Yes, suite upgrades do occur, but it's not a written benefit.
I would also suggest, you read prior reviews on this property


If you do a search you'll see other discussion on "upgrades" good and bad.

I am also a Diamond and have had poor success with upgrades on reward stays. Most recent case was Hilton BGI for five nights. No upgrade, no lounge access, but compensated with breakfast coupons for Mme.13F and myself.
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13F

I've had some stays on points where they gave me options of either an upgraded room or breakfast but not both. One or the other. In other cases I got upgraded (if you ever get a chance to do a weekend stay at the Palmer House I highly recommend it as the suite we were in was bigger than our Chicago apartment!) and brekki. So go figure.

I am HH Diamond and I do a lot of busienss travel both in Europe and US. I usually get an upgrade when I stay at Hilton. Last week I stayed at Hilton Paris (Arc de triumph) with my family a week on points. We did not get an upgrade and no lounge access. So my question is: is it more difficult to get an upgrade on reward stays? Or was there another reason I did not get an upgrade. (However, we were compensated with free glass of Champage in the bar every night).As noted by Cheap Elite, the length of your stay may be reason an upgrade to the executive level was not available; T&C's outside NA do not require lounge access unless upgraded to the executive level. I was upgraded to the executive level on a 7-night reward stay at this property in early May, so I would assume the executive level was sold out at some point during your stay.I've had some stays on points where they gave me options of either an upgraded room or breakfast but not both. One or the other. In other cases I got upgraded (if you ever get a chance to do a weekend stay at the Palmer House I highly recommend it as the suite we were in was bigger than our Chicago apartment!) and brekki. So go figure.The way I read the T&Cs for NA Hiltons, you should not have to choose between an upgrade and breakfast. T&Cs for other Hilton brands vary. 3. Do you know what an "upgrade" is at this property. Every property is built differently, so an upgrade can be catergorizes as a "newly renovated room", "room with a view", etc. Please keep in mind that a SUITE upgrade is not a part of the Hilton HHonors T&C's. Yes, suite upgrades do occur, but it's not a written benefit. Agree 100%.

As noted by Cheap Elite, the length of your stay may be reason an upgrade to the executive level was not available; T&C's outside NA do not require lounge access unless upgraded to the executive level. I was upgraded to the executive level on a 7-night reward stay at this property in early May, so I would assume the executive level was sold out at some point during your stay.The way I read the T&Cs for NA Hiltons, you should not have to choose between an upgrade and breakfast. T&Cs for other Hilton brands vary. Agree 100%.

Also, OP mentions traveling w/the family which also may have contributed to the lack of Exec Lounge access. FWIW, I just finished a 6 night award stay in Venice and was upgraded.

There are a couple of Hiltons I love to stay at that I won't do on points anymore, on money virtually 100% upgraded rooms, on points I believe zero.

Others much better chance. I don't think there's an average system wide number you can apply.

You guys are alarming me. I do a lot of award stays. I've never noticed a fall off in my upgrades, nor had it occurred to me that the hotel might use this as a criteria. For example, in June I stayed at the Bucharest Hilton. I used a diamond point stretcher, an amazing value. I was given executive lounge access and upgraded to a very nice junior suite.

Also, OP mentions traveling w/the family which also may have contributed to the lack of Exec Lounge access. FWIW, I just finished a 6 night award stay in Venice and was upgraded.

I stayed at the Hilton ADT last year with my family on an award stay... had no problem getting upgraded to the executive level.

I am also a Diamond and have had poor success with upgrades on reward stays. Most recent case was Hilton BGI for five nights. No upgrade, no lounge access, but compensated with breakfast coupons for Mme.13F and myself.
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13F

I certainly don't like to read this....we are booked at the Hilton BGI for 8 days in Feb 09, one of the BUSIEST times of the year over there.

I have heard the executive lounge should not be compared to that of some of the Hilton Executive Lounges in other parts of the world (I heard it doesn't hold a candle to them), I am still very hopeful to gain access to partake in some of the alcoholic beverages. My husband does not drink but I do enjoy a nice cold brew (I hope they have decent beer over there). I really do hope we get access but I sure don't like reading that a Diamond was denied both an upgrade and executive lounge privledges.

Argh....

Dawn

I guess I have always been lucky. I usually save my award stays for overseas holiday's. I have always been either upgraded or given lounge access, and/or free breakfast, drinks, etc..
I usually nicely request "upgrade please" or "executive floor, please" on the original reservation.
If I have a specific request (ie: if 3 of us will be in the room), I usually email the hotel prior to my trip. It all depends what is important to you. If it is important, let the hotel know, so at least they can try to accommodate you.

Once I discovered the "upgrade" or "breakfast" concept in some UK Hiltons, I've usually made a note on the reservation letting them know if it's a choice between an upgrade or breakfast, we would prefer the breakfast...so far on every award stay (not enough to establish a trend I'll grant you) we've gotten both. Paris in 2007, York and Leeds in 2006, and Manchester in 2006 as well. As they say...YMMV. Cheers.

I certainly don't like to read this....we are booked at the Hilton BGI for 8 days in Feb 09, one of the BUSIEST times of the year over there.

I have heard the executive lounge should not be compared to that of some of the Hilton Executive Lounges in other parts of the world (I heard it doesn't hold a candle to them), I am still very hopeful to gain access to partake in some of the alcoholic beverages. My husband does not drink but I do enjoy a nice cold brew (I hope they have decent beer over there). I really do hope we get access but I sure don't like reading that a Diamond was denied both an upgrade and executive lounge privledges.

Argh....

DawnThe hotel was very busy so we have simply been unlucky. And I had contacted the manager directly by email in advance, to no avail. Our dates fell directly on top of Carnival in POS. Apparently lots of Trinis prefer to escape the island during the ruckus of Mardi Gras and BGI happens to be the closest place they can go.
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13F

I got my wife a HWS comp one night and when she finally arrived they where like "We have been waiting for you!". She was with her mom and three kids and they already had her setup in a two bedroom suite.

She felt pretty special, I never get that kind of treatment, even paying LOL

Completed a 5 night award stay at the Grand Wailea Hotel in Wailea, HI on the island of Maui and received an upgrade to an ocean view which did in fact have a great view. I am HH Gold.

The only thing I look at when upgrading an HHonors member is their tier and length of stay. If I have it, I have it. If I don't.......sorry :( I can't kick people out of rooms. Obviously this may be different at other hotels........but reward stays vs. individual pay really should never have anything to do with it. Its more often the simple availability of the room/upgrade.

Got access to the Exec lounge last two times on Award stays at the London Park Lane. Will be at the Waldorf London in 4 weeks so I hope my luck continues.

Cheers

I have had very good luck in Europe with upgrades. Most recently in Rome at the Hilton Cavileri I was on a 6 night award. We were upgraded to the best suite in the hotel (767-769). It has a breath taking view of the Vatican and Rome. And the executive lounge is one of the best. This took place in June so it was a very busy time there.

We were upgraded to the executive level with lounge access and a view of the Eiffel Tower at the Paris Hilton on a 6 day award.

In Canada, I have had no upgrade at the Hilton in Saint John on an award stay.

All other awards were at Embasy Suites or Homewood Suites in the USA.

Last time at the Hilton Boston Logan Airport, I was upgraded to the exec floor and had lounge access. I am HH Gold.

6 night award stay at the Hilton Resort in Mactan (Cebu) last May, we were upgraded (without asking) to the exec level with access to the fantastic lounge.

Went ahead and "splurged" on a further upgrade to a corner spa suite for $35/night.

In my experience I have been upgraded more consistently and to better rooms on award stays than on paid stays.

e.g. Trafalagar - never upgraded beyond the best non-suite room on multiple (>10) paid stays but had a very comfy suite on one and only award stay.

Hilton FLL - Fantastic one bed ocenfront suite on 3 day award stay (which we promptly extended with another 6 nights award ^)

Similar experiences in Mount Julliet, Park Lane, couple of other US properties.

IIRC we even has one diamond force booking converted to an award stay and recieved a great upgrade at checkin in Boston.

Diamond award benefits are the only reason we have not abandoned HHonors completely! Hopefully some of the posts above are not a sign of behind the scene policy changes......

-- Dambus

In the last 2 years have had 6 night awards in Paris,venice and fiji and upgraded every time.

In the last fortnight I had three one night award stays at varois Hiltons and was upgraded with each:

Dubrovnik
Gatwick
Singapore

I am always treated the same or better on an award stay.

Yup, I remember - and we were upgraded to Executive Floor with Club Lounge access on a point stretcher at the same time. In Budapest, exactly ditto, and earlier this year at the Rome Cavalieri, the same. I think it all depends on the property - and I have heard some say it is easier to get upgraded during a short award stay than for a longer one (not to mention, if there is a worldwide medical convention with several hosted suites by big pharma, for instance, don't plan on an award stay in more than a standard room.)

You guys are alarming me. I do a lot of award stays. I've never noticed a fall off in my upgrades, nor had it occurred to me that the hotel might use this as a criteria. For example, in June I stayed at the Bucharest Hilton. I used a diamond point stretcher, an amazing value. I was given executive lounge access and upgraded to a very nice junior suite.

No real difference between rewards and revenue stays. I probably too have done better on rewards (even outside of the US), but then again I've done fewer reward stays and when I do get upgraded, it feels extra special and probably selective memory kicks in.

I don't see any difference between award and revenue stays in general, but occasionally I get the feel that 'exec. floor unavailable' is more common on award stays. Overall it's about the same.

Two night stay in June at the London Waldorf. Upgraded to a full suite on points with lounge access.

Two night award stay at the Hilton Paris Eiffel Tower last month, upgraded to Tower View Room and Executive Lounge access.